Paws tells county of endowment plans

Hale County commissioners listened intently Friday as representatives from Plainview Paws Pet Adoption reported on the group’s operation and announced plans for an endowment campaign.

Paws General Manager Cynthia Davidson and Board President Donna Austin met with commissioners Friday during the county’s work session, with County Judge Bill Coleman inviting them back later this spring toward the possibility of some funding support.

“In my opinion, this is something that we need to do because we have a responsibility” for stray animals in rural Hale County, Coleman said. “The county is responsible for animal control in rural areas” and roving packs of wild dogs “present a hazard to public safety.”

Davidson reported that Paws was established about 2 1/2 years ago to fill a void created by the closing of the local human society. Paws operates out of the Plainview Animal Shelter and works to promote pet adoption along with the spaying and neutering of pets to reduce overpopulation.

She noted that the euthanasia rate at the local animal shelter has been reduced from 78 percent in 2014 to 73 percent in 2016. In January, the euthanasia rate was further reduced to 61 percent, primarily due to more unwanted pets being sent from Plainview to out-of-state animal rescues in Connecticut, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana, as well as elsewhere in Texas.

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Also, Davidson reported, Paws received a $2,500 grant from Petco to help lower income pet owners get their animals spayed and neutered. “This grant is not just for those living in Plainview, but for anyone who qualifies in the 79072 ZIP code, including Seth Ward,” she reported.

Working with the Community Foundation of West Texas, of which the Plainview Area Endowment is an affiliate, Davidson said the group hopes to establish an endowment for Paws.

“Ultimately we hope to reach out to the entire county,” Austin added, “and to continue to bring the euthanasia rate down.” She told commissioners that it costs about $25 to put each unwanted animal down. In 2014, 1,877 unwanted pets were euthanized locally. That was reduced to 1,522 in 2015.

Shifting from unwanted pets to child abuse, Hale County Child Welfare Board representative Melody Miller asked permission from commissioners to erect a banner and place 300 small blue flags on the courthouse lawn on April 7 in connection with Child Abuse Awareness Month. Commissioners are to take formal action on the request at Monday’s regular session.

Miller explained that the display is being planned in connection with Plainview Mayor Wendell issuing a related proclamation on April 7. “We first considered putting the flags out by Kidsville, but decided they would get more attention at the courthouse,” she said. “This has been in the works for the past couple of years.”

Other activity at Friday’s session included:

--Treasurer Ida Tyler revealed that the county’s closing balance for all accounts on Jan. 31 totaled $19,797,984.21. Current accounts payable include $153,667.95 from the 2016 budget and $2,667.763.60 from the 2017 budget, although most of that involves transfers from the general fund into the county precinct funds.

--Coleman reviewed the Hale Center Volunteer Fire Department’s activity report for 2016. That department responded to 59 calls, including 17 within the city limits and 42 in rural Hale County. They logged 267.75 man hours during the year. The report is to be formally approved Monday and the department’s 2017 stipend released.

--Coleman reported that Bobby McGehee has resigned from the Hale County Appraisal District Board, and the county and other county taxing entities can nominate someone to replace him before March 15. McGehee represents the City of Plainview.

--Commissioners on Monday will be asked to acknowledge a letter from Ricky James, chairman of the Hale County Soil and Water Conservation Board, to the state indicating that all recommended repairs to Site 4 of the Lower Runningwater Draw Flood Control Project, identified by a recent inspection report, have been completed.

--Commissioners will consider nominations Monday to the Plainview/Hale County Airport Board. Coleman said Bob Brown’s four-year term has expired, and Brown is willing to serve another term.

--Deana Sageser, county AgriLife Extension agent for family and consumer science, requested commissioners approve the lease of a new copy machine for her department, representing a $20 to $40 per month reduction from the previous contract. Formal action is expected Monday.

--Commissioners discussed the possibility of the Noxious Weed Control District relinquishing its lease of a building on the Ollie Liner Center grounds, which could be used by the county for storage.

--Commissioners discussed offering two battery-operated insect/mosquito sprayers to cities within the county. The county acquired the spray rigs more than 10 years ago from federal surplus for use at the Ollie Liner Center. They have never been used.

On Monday, commissioners also are expected to consider a request to authorize the City of Plainview to offer seven tracts of tax-forfeited property to the public through internet auction as well as a request to hold the Red, White and Moo festival on the courthouse grounds July 4. Monday’s meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Courthouse, 500 Broadway, and is open to the public.